Russell Brand rape trail delayed amid fresh charges
The trial for allegations of rape and sexual assault against Russell Brand has been delayed for four months.
The case, which was set to begin in June at Southwark Crown Court in London, has now been postponed until October 12th in order to incorporate the two fresh allegations of rape and sexual assault with which he was charged in December.
Brand pled not guilty to these allegations as well as his five previous charges of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of rape, having consistently denied any wrongdoing since the original accusations were brought against him by police in April 2025.
The first five allegations are alleged to have taken place against four women between 1999 and 2005, while the two newer counts are alleged to have taken place in 2009.
The decision to delay the trial until October is to allow the court to consider all seven charges against Brand as part of one case, with the judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, saying that it could run out of time to hear all the accusations if it were to commence in June.
He also cited the reason that the court could potentially struggle to find jurors who would be able to sit for the trial’s planned two-month length if it were to begin at the start of the summer holiday period.
Brand, who now lives in Florida, has been granted bail while awaiting trial, and only spoke during his previous hearing at the court to confirm his name and not guilty plea.
Allegations first surfaced against Brand after a joint investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times accusing him of historic sexual abuse, which he denied at the time. This subsequently led the Metropolitan Police to launch their own probe, resulting in the charges beginning in April 2025.
After the initial five charges were brought against him, Brand said in a video posted to social media: “I was a drug addict, sex addict and imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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